Can I do anything?

Skintee

I just had a rant on another thread then it struck me that someone in here may have a good idea... I'm hoping so as I'm at the end of my tether...

The situation:
Ive been trying to sell my lovely end of terrace house (not so fab area) for over 3 years. Ive had 5 sales fall through now for what I thought were various reasons (property needs too much work/ mortgage fell through etc)
The house needs double glazing, render on one wall, a new heating system, new banister, attic rooms to be insulated/plastered/wired (started an attic conversion)
I dont have the time or money to do this work.

The house was initially valued at £135k... I've dropped and dropped the price.... its now at £97k and the last offer was £87k which I grudgingly accepted.

I moved away from the area 3 years ago because of work so I don't get back much as I work full time and have a small child and disabled partner.

The potential buyers went around yesterday, and ended up talking to my neighbours son.... who basically lied and said things like the house was going to be compulsory purchased (???? I wish!!!) and that it was on a flood plain so was uninsurable (rubbish... insurance is nice and cheap)

I get the feeling it wasn't the first time that this has happened... I dont know how many sales they have averted!

The estate agent is now aware to avoid the neighbours. But I cant believe they have done this

So, moving forward... how on earth can I sell my house??? I think an auction would bankrupt me. But I cant face living in limbo anymore Plus I cant afford to do any of the upgrades, and everyone buying (rightly) wants a lovely finished house.

Please help me before I say something I regret to my neighbours (btw they have keys to my house incase of emergencies)

ruggedtoast

Can you rent it out?

Anew

Have you tried offering it to them? Seems they want it at a cut down price!

Either that or hire a local amdram society to do a few hours in your garden dressed as tramps/squatters.... that should show them that a sale is worthwhile over a constantly empty house.

princeofpounds

Potentially yes, you can sue them for damages as what they have said is untrue and it has caused you material damage in the form of a lost sale.

You would probably need a lawyer to put the claim together, and you would need the cooperation of the potential buyers as witnesses.

It's probably beyond this forum (and certainly me) to tell you if your case is strong enough but in theory this course of action is open to you.

BitterAndTwisted

Not everyone who wants to buy a house will necessarily want one in show-home condition. One person's show-home is another person's nightmare to be ripped out and reburbished asap. It'll sell as long as it's competitively priced, I reckon

Jowo_2

Some councils offer grants to home owners to upgrade their properties as long as they rent it out for a few years afterwards, plus empty home grants to bring them back into use. Have a look at your local council website for schemes that may operate in your area.

Get the keys off your neighbours if you don't trust them - they can contact you if there's an emergency - and either visit it regularly yourself or get someone else to do this. Take precautionary measures to prevent squatters or look into getting a house-sitter/property management company to increase the security.

Skintee

Its not in a state to rent out... bannister/windows/heating, Id never get the gas/electricity certs without spending on it

Sueing them for damages would mean we really fall out. I dont know if word of mouth is strong enough to stand up in court (I doubt it)

I did offer them the property, but as the son lost his job he can no longer afford it...

I just feel trapped and feel that its all going against me

Skintee

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Not everyone who wants to buy a house will necessarily want one in show-home condition. One person's show-home is another person's nightmare to be ripped out and reburbished asap. It'll sell as long as it's competitively priced, I reckon

Its underpriced... I agreed a sale at £110k 2 yrs ago... the survey valuation came back at £115k!?! Its a bargain!!!

goldengirl28

when we bought our house 16 years ago is was a bomb shell, we lived in a bedroom upstairs for 18mths until the rest of the house was habitable.

when we saw it, we could look beyond the general state of repair and to be honest the next door house was a mess as well. But i chatted over the fence to them on the 2nd viewing and they where a lovely old couple, who obviously thought there was more to life than worrying about removing their chipped green sash wondows and putting white UPVC in to make me happy, they lived there for 73 years and where FAB, sad when they died

i personally wouldn't have paid any attention to your neighbours, the info they told me i would ask for it checking before i did anything.

the only way i would walk away is if the neighbours where rude/offensive etc. And i thought that living next to them would be a nightmare,

i think you need to have a chat to find out why as something is motivating them

Skintee

I think they walked away as they realised my neighbours were lying/deranged/odd.... who would want to live next to a family like that....

goldengirl28

Skintee wrote: »

I think they walked away as they realised my neighbours were lying/deranged/odd.... who would want to live next to a family like that....

deranged...that made me giggle:D

hope it works out for you